Adolescent Coping Research Articles

Gender differences in school achievement: The role of self-regulation

This study examined whether different aspects of self-regulation (i.e., emotion and behavior regulation) account for gender differences in German and mathematics achievement. Specifically, we investigated whether higher school achievement by girls in comparison to boys can be explained by self-regulation. German and mathematics achievement were assessed in a sample of 53 German fifth graders (19 boys, 34 girls) using formal academic performance tests (i.e., reading, writing, mathematics) and teachers' ratings (i.e., grades in German and mathematics). Moreover, teachers rated children's behavior regulation using the Self-Control Scale (SCS-K-D). Children's self-reported strategies of emotion regulation were assessed with the Questionnaire for the Measurement of Stress and Coping in Children and Adolescents (SSKJ 3-8). Age and intelligence (CFT 20-R) were included as control variables. Analyses of mean differences showed that girls outperformed boys in German achievement and behavior regulation. Regression analyses, using a bootstrapping method, revealed that relations between gender and German achievement were mediated by behavior regulation. Furthermore, we found a suppression effect of behavior regulation on the relation between gender and mathematics achievement: boys' mathematics achievement was underestimated when the analyses did not control for behavior regulation. We discuss these results from a developmental perspective and within the theoretical framework of self-regulation and achievement.

A Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment for Depression in Rural American Indian Middle School Students

Rural American Indian (AI) middle school students with depressive symptoms who participated in a culturally modified version of the Adolescent Coping with Depression (CWD-A) course (n = 8) reported significant improvement in depressive symptoms at post-intervention and at 3-month follow-up. There was also a nonsignificant but clinically relevant decrease in participants' anxiety symptoms. Students reported satisfaction with the intervention, and it was potentially more cost-effective and less stigmatizing than the individualized treatment-as-usual interventions to which it was compared. These results suggest the CWD-A is a promising approach for reducing depressive and anxiety symptoms in rural AI students and should be further evaluated with a larger sample of students.

A Pilot Double Blind Randomized Placebo Controlled Trial of a Prototype Computer-Based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Program for Adolescents with Symptoms of Depression

Depressive disorder is common in adolescents and largely untreated. Computers offer a way of increasing access to care. Computerized therapy is effective for depressed adults but to date little has been done for depressed adolescents. The objective of this study was to examine the feasibility, acceptability, and effects of The Journey, a computerized cognitive behavioural therapy (cCBT) program for depressed adolescents. Thirty-four adolescents (mean age 15.2 years, SD = 1.5) referred by school counsellors were randomly assigned to either cCBT or a computer-administered attention placebo program with psychoeducational content (CPE). Participants completed the intervention at school. Data were collected at baseline, post-intervention and at a 1-month follow-up. The primary outcome measure was the Child Depression Rating Scale Revised (CDRS-R); secondary outcome measures were: RADS-2; Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory; Adolescent Coping Scale (short form); response and remission rates on CDRS-R. Completion rates and self-reported satisfaction ratings were used to assess feasibility and acceptabililty of the intervention. Ninety-four percent of cCBT and 82% of CPE participants completed the intervention. Eighty-nine percent liked The Journey a lot or thought it was "okay" and 89% of them would recommend it for use with others as is or after some improvement. Adolescents treated with cCBT showed greater symptom improvement on CDRS-R than those treated with CPE program (mean change on cCBT = 17.6, CI = 14.13-21.00; CPE = 6.06, CI = 2.01-10.02; p< .001). It is feasible, acceptable and efficacious to deliver computerized CBT to depressed adolescents in a school setting. Generalizability is limited by the size of the study.

Social Coping and Life Satisfaction in Adolescents

This study examined the relationships among early adolescent social coping behavior and measures of subjective well-being, specifically global life satisfaction and friend satisfaction. A total of 1,011 students in grades 7–8 at a southeastern US middle school completed measures of global life satisfaction, friend satisfaction and coping, on two occasions, 5 months apart. Social support seeking coping behavior at Time 1, but not problem-solving, distancing, internalizing or externalizing coping behaviors at Time 1, uniquely predicted global life satisfaction and friend satisfaction at Time 2. Implications for research and promoting adolescent well-being are discussed.

Coping Strategies as Mediators of the Relationship between Chronic Exposure to Missile Attacks and Stress Reactions

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of coping strategies as mediators of the relationships between exposure and stress reactions after exposure to missile attacks. Data were gathered from 145 adolescents during several months in 2008, after seven years of ongoing missile attacks. Adolescents filled out self-reported questionnaires that included demographics, level of exposure to missile attacks, Adolescent Coping Scale, and stress reactions of state anxiety, state anger, and psychological distress. Results show that the different types of exposure as well as the coping strategies contributed 33% to the explained variance of stress reactions. Only emotional coping strategies mediated the relationships between objective and subjective exposure to missile attacks and stress reactions.

Spiritual Coping and Psychosocial Adjustment of Adolescents With Chronic Illness: The Role of Cognitive Attributions, Age, and Disease Group

Spiritual coping is an important determinant of adjustment in youth with chronic illness, but the mechanisms through which it affects outcomes have not been elucidated. It is also unknown whether the role of spiritual coping varies by age or disease group. This study evaluated whether general cognitive attributions explain the effects of spiritual coping on internalizing and externalizing problems in adolescents with cystic fibrosis and diabetes and whether these relationships vary by age or disease group. In this cross-sectional study, adolescents (N = 128; M = 14.7 yrs) diagnosed with cystic fibrosis or diabetes completed measures of spiritual coping and attributional style. Adolescents and their caregivers reported on adolescents' internalizing and externalizing problems. Overall, positive spiritual coping was associated with fewer internalizing and externalizing problems. Negative spiritual coping was related to more externalizing problems, and for adolescents with cystic fibrosis only, also internalizing problems. Optimistic attributions mediated the effects of positive spiritual coping among adolescents with diabetes. The results did not vary by age. An optimistic attribution style may help explain the effects of positive, but not negative, spiritual coping on adjustment of youth with diabetes. Youth with progressive, life-threatening illnesses, such as cystic fibrosis, may be more vulnerable to the harmful effects of negative spiritual coping. Future research should examine whether addressing spiritual concerns and promoting optimistic attributions improves adolescents' emotional and behavioral functioning.

Parental palliative cancer: psychosocial adjustment and health-related quality of life in adolescents participating in a German family counselling service

BackgroundParental palliative disease is a family affair, however adolescent's well-being and coping are still rarely considered. The objectives of this paper were a) to identify differences in psychosocial adjustment and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among adolescents and young adults with parents suffering from palliative cancer or cancers in other disease stages, b) to relate psychosocial adjustment and health-related quality of life to adolescent coping, and c) to explore significant mediator and predictor variables.MethodsCross-sectional data were derived from a multi-site research study of families before child-centered counselling. N=86 adolescents and young adults were included, their mean age 13.78 years (sd 2.45), 56% being female. Performed analyses included ANCOVA, multiple linear regression, and mediation analysis.ResultsAdolescents with parents suffering from palliative cancers reported significantly less total psychosocial problems, and better overall HRQoL. There were no significant group differences regarding coping frequency and efficacy. Our set of coping items significantly mediated the effect of parental disease stage on psychosocial problems and HRQoL. Further, parental disease status and general family functioning predicted psychosocial problems (R2adj =.390) and HRQoL (R2adj =.239) best.ConclusionThe study indicates distress among adolescents throughout the entire parental disease process. Our analysis suggests that counselling services could offer supportive interventions which focus particularly on adolescent coping as well as family functioning.

The Health Education for Lupus Study: A Randomized Controlled Cognitive-Behavioral Intervention Targeting Psychosocial Adjustment and Quality of Life in Adolescent Females With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

IntroductionTo examine in a randomize controlled feasibility clinical trial the efficacy of a cognitive-behavioral intervention designed to manage pain, enhance disease adjustment and adaptation and improve quality of life among female adolescents with systemic lupus erythematosus. MethodsFemale adolescents (n=53) ranging in age from 12 to 18 years were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups including a cognitive-behavioral intervention, an education-only arm and a no-contact control group. Participants were assessed at baseline, postintervention and at 3- and 6-month intervals after completion of the intervention. ResultsNo significant differences were revealed among the 3 treatment arms for any of the dependent measures at any of the assessment points. For the mediator variables, a posthoc secondary analysis did reveal increases in coping skills from baseline to postintervention among the participants in the cognitive-behavioral intervention group compared with both the no-contact control group and the education-only group. ConclusionAlthough no differences were detected in the primary outcome, a possible effect on coping of female adolescents with systemic lupus erythematosus was detected in this feasibility study. Whether the impact of training in the area of coping was of sufficient magnitude to generalize to other areas of functioning, such as adjustment and adaptation, is unclear. Future phase III randomized trials will be needed to assess additional coping models and to evaluate the dose of training and its influence on pain management, adjustment and health-related quality of life.

69. Stress, coping, and inflammation in adolescents

Stress can upregulate inflammatory processes and increase disease risk, but differences in how individuals cope with stress might moderate this association. We investigated relationships between stress, coping, and inflammation (i.e., C-reactive protein (CRP)) in a healthy sample of adolescents ( n = 243). We hypothesized that adolescents reporting greater stress would exhibit higher CRP levels and that among individuals under high stress, approach-oriented coping (i.e., use of positive reappraisal, humor, engaging in demanding activities, and developing self-reliance) would be associated with lower CRP. In regression analyses adjusted for age, sex, race, body mass index, smoking, and socioeconomic status, there were no significant associations between stress and CRP, but significant interactions between stress and coping emerged. For adolescents reporting more unpleasant stressful life events in the past 12 months, approach-oriented coping was inversely associated with CRP (beta = −.19, p < .05). Coping was significantly associated with CRP in the context of interpersonal stress, whether measured as stressful life events reflecting interpersonal conflict (e.g., arguments with parents or siblings, conflict between adults in the home, friendship ended) or frequency of arguments with others reported in daily diaries completed each evening for one week. Findings suggest that approach-oriented coping is associated with lower levels of inflammation, but only when adolescents are challenged by significant interpersonal stress.

Pensamiento Constructivo y Afrontamiento al Estrés en Estudiantes Universitarios

La presente investigación tuvo como objetivo establecer la relación posible entre pensamiento constructivo y estilos de afrontamiento al estrés en estudiantes universitarios. Se trabajó con una muestra aleatoria de 184 estudiantes de tres campus multidisciplinarios de la UNAM, 107 mujeres y 77 hombres. Se aplicaron el Cuestionario de Pensamiento Constructivo para Estudiantes Universitarios (CPCE) y la Escala de Afrontamiento para Adolescentes (ACS). El 77% de los estudiantes obtienen puntuaciones entre adecuado y alto pensamiento constructivo, mientras que el 23% califica bajo pensamiento constructivo. La mayoría de los estudiantes refiere utilizar estrategias del estilo dirigido a la resolución de problemas con frecuencia de a menudo (70 a 89), mientras que las estrategias improductivas son raramente utilizadas (30 a 49). En el análisis de las relaciones entre estilos de afrontamiento y pensamiento constructivo se denota que a puntuaciones altas en pensamiento constructivo corresponden puntuaciones altas en el empleo de estrategias de afrontamiento dirigidas a la solución de los problemas, también se observa una correlación directa entre pensamiento no constructivo y afrontamiento improductivo. El afrontamiento conductual es la subescala que muestra una correlación considerable con el estilo de afrontamiento orientado a la solución de problemas, mientras que la falta de Afrontamiento Emocional, la baja autoestima, y la incapacidad para sobreponerse se asocian con la elección de un estilo de afrontamiento improductivo. El estilo de afrontamiento en relación con los demás se asocia con afrontamiento conductual, baja autoestima e incapacidad de sobreponerse. Los estudiantes que poseen baja autoestima, e incapacidad para manejar sus emociones, pero poseen la habilidad para afrontar conductualmente, optan por buscar redes de soporte social como alternativa de afrontamiento.

Peer Associations and Coping

This study sought to examine the relationship between coping strategies and prosocial and deviant peer associations for urban, African American adolescents. In addition, the study analyzed the mediating role of ethnic identity for coping strategies and peer associations. Results of the African American models were then compared with models for European American adolescents. Results indicated that African American and European American adolescents who reported using distraction coping strategies were more likely to associate with prosocial peers, and those who reported using self-destruction strategies were less likely to associate with prosocial peers. Adolescents who reported using distraction coping strategies were less likely to associate with deviant peers, and adolescents who reported using self-destruction strategies were more likely to associate with deviant peers. Ethnic identity mediated the relationship between coping and prosocial peer association for African American adolescents. Limitations of the study and future research directions are also presented.

Coping and depressive symptoms in adolescents with a chronic medical condition: A search for intervention targets

The aim of the present study was to find relevant coping factors for the development of psychological intervention programs for adolescents with a chronic medical condition. A wide range of coping techniques were studied, including cognitive coping, behavioral coping and goal adjustment coping. A total of 176 adolescents participated. They were contacted through social networking websites or Internet forums and through schools for children with a physical disability. Several cognitive and behavioral coping strategies and goal adjustment were found to be related to symptoms of depression. The cognitive coping strategies had the strongest influence on depressive symptoms. Especially self-blame, rumination and catastrophizing seemed to be important factors. If these findings can be confirmed, they could contribute to the focus and content of intervention programs for adolescents with a chronic medical condition.

Coping in adolescents: A mediator between stress and disordered eating

Coping in adolescents: A mediator between stress and disordered eating

The influence of emotional intelligence (EI) on coping and mental health in adolescence: Divergent roles for trait and ability EI

Theoretically, trait and ability emotional intelligence (EI) should mobilise coping processes to promote adaptation, plausibly operating as personal resources determining choice and/or implementation of coping style. However, there is a dearth of research deconstructing if/how EI impacts mental health via multiple coping strategies in adolescence. Using path analysis, the current study specified a series of multiple-mediation and conditional effects models to systematically explore interrelations between coping, EI, depression and disruptive behaviour in 748 adolescents (mean age = 13.52 years; SD = 1.22). Results indicated that whilst ability EI influences mental health via flexible selection of coping strategies, trait EI modifies coping effectiveness; specifically, high levels of trait EI amplify the beneficial effects of active coping and minimise the effects of avoidant coping to reduce symptomotology. However, effects were selective with respect to coping style and outcome. Implications for interventions are discussed alongside directions for future research.

A Prospective Study of Coping and Adjustment in Adolescents With Craniofacial Conditions

This study aimed to examine the role of coping strategy use in concurrent and later adjustment in adolescents with craniofacial anomalies (CFAs). It was expected that better adjustment at both baseline and 12 months would be related to greater baseline perceived coping efficacy, greater use of active coping and social support seeking, and less use of avoidance strategies. Eighty adolescents with CFAs and their parents completed measures of adjustment, coping strategy use, and efficacy in response to CFA-related stressful situations. Fifty-five families completed these measures again 12 months later. Overall, the predicted pattern of correlations between coping and adjustment was found. However, coping and efficacy at baseline did not explain a significant proportion of the variance in adjustment measures 1 year later, after controlling for baseline adjustment. Such prospective findings are beginning to bring into question the assumed importance of coping in pediatric adjustment.

Adolescent coping, pain reactivity, and the role of executive function

Coping with discomfort involves Executive Functions (EF) involved in metacognition like planning and strategizing. Yet, given the frontal lobe neuroproliferation associated with the development of these skills, coping skill is not comparable across populations. In particular, research on adolescent populations indicates that changes in frontal lobe structures take place into the mid-twenties, causing individuals in late adolescence to be less skillful than their adult counterparts at anticipating consequences and future-oriented thinking (both of these are, in turn, implicated in developing treatment plans that promote coping).

Concerns and Coping in Asian Adolescents—Gender as a Moderator

ABSTRACT The authors investigated the role of gender in moderating the type of coping strategies employed by intellectually gifted adolescents in Singapore when confronted with different types of concerns. A total of 1,791 adolescents participated in this study, and data were obtained using self-report measures. Initial findings indicated that boys and girls did not differ in their use of problem-solving coping strategies in dealing with different areas of concerns. However, further findings showed that intellectually gifted girls were more likely to employ nonproductive strategies in coping with school concerns than were gifted boys. These girls were also less likely to seek social support in coping with peer concerns compared with their male counterparts. Possible explanations for the results are suggested and implications of findings are discussed.

Mindful coping for adolescents: beneficial or confusing

As adolescence is a vulnerable transition phase, especially regarding the development of psychological symptoms, interventions promoting mental health for this age group have been called for. The “Conscious Coping” program (CC) is an intervention based on coping skills from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, including reappraisal and emotion regulation strategies, and mindfulness practices. The aim of this study is to evaluate the CC program for adolescents by using a mixed methods approach. The quantitative approach has a comparison group design measuring mindful coping, mental ill-health and life satisfaction. Within the qualitative approach semi-structured interviews are carried out. The study sample included one intervention group (N = 40) and one comparison group (N = 41) with high school students. Overall, quantitative results suggest that the intervention group experienced a minor deterioration in life satisfaction and psychological symptoms and no statistically significant change in use of mindful copi...

Leisure activity and coping with stress: adolescents as case study

The purpose of this study is to explore the correlation between adolescent participation in leisure activity, its benefits, and coping with stress. Questionnaire surveys and structural equation model (SEM) were used for testing, and the analytical results showed that the model has good fit. The main findings of this study are: (1) youth participation in leisure activity would positively influence benefits of leisure activity; (2) participation in leisure activity has a significant positive correlation to adolescent coping with stress; (3) benefits of leisure activity has a significant positive influence on coping with stress. Research results showed that among participation in leisure activity, “kinetic activity” is the most important element for adolescent choice; among benefits of leisure activity, “enrich the quality of life” and “enhance self-worth” are most emphasized by adolescents. In terms of coping with stress, adolescents generally use “avoidance coping.” According to the research results, it is suggested that under the current social and cultural framework, promotion of adolescent participation in leisure activity can help them increase avoidance coping when faced with stress.

Erica Frydenberg: Adolescent Coping: Advances in Theory, Research, and Practice

Erica Frydenberg: Adolescent Coping: Advances in Theory, Research, and Practice